Name: Kim Sung Bok (김성복)
Distinguished Service Professor (currently at Seoul National University)
Age: 78
Interviewee #3
Name: Choi Jin Sa (최진사)
South Korean who moved down all the way to Busan.
Age: 75
How old were you and where were you living when the war started?
I was 15 when the war started. I lived in Paju, near the 38-th parallel. The North Koreans cornered South Korea all the way to Busan, invadind Paju as well. What did you do when they came?
Before they came, I was evacuated. However, it was a very long way to Busan from Paju. Also, I was moved to Seoul – it was recommended that we did so. They broadcasted one day, that the North Koreans have declared war. Did you experience any specific things that you still remember and would like to share?
Well I experienced a lot of things. Most of them were during the journey from Paju to Seoul, and then from Seoul to Busan. When I was coming back up to Seoul after the UN troops and Korean Soldiers (South) went across the 38th parallel to invade the North, I did not see much – I only heard broadcasts of what is going on in the War. My trip itself was not that hard (I think he meant from Paju to Seoul one, because he talks about the Seoul to Busan trip later on). It was simply a lot of walking. One thing that I do remember is how we couldn't carry everything. The war came without any warnings, so when the evacuation message came, we had to go right away. If we didn't, we thought that the North Koreans would come. The main things I carried was a pot to cook rice, blankets to sleep in, and that was pretty much it – maybe some other valuables. During the trip to Busan, there were times when bombings would occur. I wasn't really exposed to violence, but I saw smoke, and heard bomb sounds. I consider myself very lucky. Was it your first time to the capital of South Korea, Seoul?
Yes it was. How was it?
Well I was first surprised by the amount of people there were in Seoul at the time. I didn't have much time to pay attention to the things of Seoul, because I was re-evacuated soon to Busan. There were a lot of people. And most of them walking, covered the roads, so on my way to Busan from Seoul, there were large masses of people and cars in between. What would be your simple reflection of this war?
I learnt what an actual war was – something that should never happen again.
Interviewee #1
Name: Kim Sun Hwa (김선화)My grandmother (maternal)
Age: 82
Interviewee #2
Name: Kim Sung Bok (김성복)Distinguished Service Professor (currently at Seoul National University)
Age: 78
Interviewee #3
Name: Choi Jin Sa (최진사)South Korean who moved down all the way to Busan.
Age: 75
How old were you and where were you living when the war started?
I was 15 when the war started. I lived in Paju, near the 38-th parallel.
The North Koreans cornered South Korea all the way to Busan, invadind Paju as well. What did you do when they came?
Before they came, I was evacuated. However, it was a very long way to Busan from Paju. Also, I was moved to Seoul – it was recommended that we did so. They broadcasted one day, that the North Koreans have declared war.
Did you experience any specific things that you still remember and would like to share?
Well I experienced a lot of things. Most of them were during the journey from Paju to Seoul, and then from Seoul to Busan. When I was coming back up to Seoul after the UN troops and Korean Soldiers (South) went across the 38th parallel to invade the North, I did not see much – I only heard broadcasts of what is going on in the War. My trip itself was not that hard (I think he meant from Paju to Seoul one, because he talks about the Seoul to Busan trip later on). It was simply a lot of walking. One thing that I do remember is how we couldn't carry everything. The war came without any warnings, so when the evacuation message came, we had to go right away. If we didn't, we thought that the North Koreans would come. The main things I carried was a pot to cook rice, blankets to sleep in, and that was pretty much it – maybe some other valuables. During the trip to Busan, there were times when bombings would occur. I wasn't really exposed to violence, but I saw smoke, and heard bomb sounds. I consider myself very lucky.
Was it your first time to the capital of South Korea, Seoul?
Yes it was.
How was it?
Well I was first surprised by the amount of people there were in Seoul at the time. I didn't have much time to pay attention to the things of Seoul, because I was re-evacuated soon to Busan. There were a lot of people. And most of them walking, covered the roads, so on my way to Busan from Seoul, there were large masses of people and cars in between.
What would be your simple reflection of this war?
I learnt what an actual war was – something that should never happen again.
Reflection: